Page 30 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

DARRIN HILL/ODWC

Kaw WMA gun range.
A MESSAGE FROM WADE FREE/ODWC

THE DIRECTOR

“Shooting ranges have been one
of my passions for many years, and
recreational shooters are contributing
about seven out of every 10 dollars
into the conservation machine. Being
a hometown Newkirk boy, I am excited
to see a shooting range on Kaw WMA.
The shooting range isn’t even 300
yards from where I harvested my first
deer as a kid, which led to me being
hooked on hunting, shooting, conser-
vation, and ultimately having a career Readyn Free, nephew of ODWC Interim Director Wade Free, helps break in the new rifle range at
Kaw Wildlife Management Area on opening day.
with ODWC. I’m certain the range will
hook many more kids into hunting,
Funding is provided through federal assistance for state wildlife conservation
shooting, and conservation. With the agencies via the Wildlife Restoration and subaccount Public Target Range
hiring of a full-time shooting range programs. The source of these funds are federal excise taxes on sporting
arms and ammunitions (firearms, ammunitions, pistols, handguns, revolv-
coordinator, ODWC is headed down ers, bows, archery, and arrow components). These funds are governed by
the tracks with steam!” the Wildlife Restoration Act (1937), as amended by the Target Practice and
Marksmanship Training Support Act (2019) and are administered by the U.S.
— Wade Free, Interim Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Conservation Investment. Annually, the funds are appor-
tioned to qualifying state wildlife agencies based on the number of hunting license holders
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and each state’s size in relation to the other states.
Conservation

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION WAS CURRENT AS OF MAY 2024 .
This program operates free from discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinion or affiliation, race, creed, color,
gender, age, ancestry, marital status or disability. A person who believes he or she may have been discriminated against
or would like further information should write: Director, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465,
Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C St. NW,
Washington DC 20240.

8 TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT!